Pixie dust on our DREAM vacation! Update 06/08 TR finished!!

[dizneeat]

It doesn't seem right that Tom isn't driving a mustang or camaro.

You know, they actually offered us a mustang convertable, but it was quite an upcharge and since the car was sitting at the parking lot at Port Canaveral for half of our vacation, we just didn't bite!

I'm sorry your check in wasn't the best. The room and food look good though.

I think I just expected something different at check in. And I had read that they usually greet you with leis, so when she just handed us the folder and sent us on our way I was a bit stunned.
The room and especially the view were AWESOME. But it just lacks that WOW factor for me ... can't put my finger on it, but that's the way I feel, and so does Tom.

I have always wanted to stay at the Poly, but the cost just drives me away. Even if I managed to save for it, a one bedroom at AKL will cost about the same. AKL gives us that feeling, just like OKW for you. I am happy to hear that not everyone LOVES the Poly because I always feel like I am missing out. I think we'll stick to AKL and just book a breakfast or dinner at the Poly.

I was shocked when I found out the actual price of our room for that night! Don't think I would pay that much for just one room! A huge 1 br at OKW was far less than that!!!!
Don't worry, up to now I had the feeling that I was the odd one out, not being overly impressed by the Poly. Love the resort as such, love the restaurants, but would not choose to stay there again.

I'm sorry to hear that you both are not feeling well. I hope you feel better soon!

At least this gives me a little time to catch up on the DISboards. Thanks for the well wishes, Diane!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Well, I am thinking Tink knew you and Tom deserved some major dusting after that horrid check-in and initial Bell Service experience....what better than a view of the Castle and Wishes from your balcony!

Must say...the Poly rooms are looking rather shabby...and so dark... way back when, our first several stays the rooms were not as dark as now. My last stay was in 2007, shortly after the latest refurb and my friend and I were not happy with the dark decor. Our view was fabulous though!

I prefer a light and airy decor in a room...so, it's true...it's those memories that make the Poly special for me these days. I could easily pass on the dark shabby rooms and less than magical guest service.

Hmm....wonder which resort will call my name next trip? Unfortuntely, no plan in the works anymore.

 

[dizneeat]

Well, I am thinking Tink knew you and Tom deserved some major dusting after that horrid check-in and initial Bell Service experience....what better than a view of the Castle and Wishes from your balcony!

Must say...the Poly rooms are looking rather shabby...and so dark... way back when, our first several stays the rooms were not as dark as now. My last stay was in 2007, shortly after the latest refurb and my friend and I were not happy with the dark decor. Our view was fabulous though!

I prefer a light and airy decor in a room...so, it's true...it's those memories that make the Poly special for me these days. I could easily pass on the dark shabby rooms and less than magical guest service.

Hmm....wonder which resort will call my name next trip? Unfortuntely, no plan in the works anymore.

Thanks Tink for all that dust - it stuck .... all through our cruise as well!

You know we thought the rooms looked a tad dated and were very dark, but the rooms at the WL are rather dark too, and it added to the whole experience.
Since we have never been to Hawaii we had nothing to compare it with, so we were okay with it! .. and the view made up for a lot!!!!!!

You know, I noticed that you had no ticker .... what happened? I thought you were all set for your big birthday bash in December?

 

[Linda67]

Very cool to have a castle view at the Poly ........

I love the grilled cheese sandwich and dole whip at Catain Cooks, I would eat it every night if I was staying there

 

[dizneeat]

Very cool to have a castle view at the Poly ........

I love the grilled cheese sandwich and dole whip at Catain Cooks, I would eat it every night if I was staying there

I was so surprised when Tom pointed towards the castle, as we absolutely had no idea you could see it from there and we actually had front row seats from our balcony!

You know I was thinking about the grilled cheese sandwich, but then the Nachos caught my eye ... and I was glad we ordered it, as it was amazing!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Thanks Tink for all that dust - it stuck .... all through our cruise as well!

You know we thought the rooms looked a tad dated and were very dark, but the rooms at the WL are rather dark too, and it added to the whole experience.
Since we have never been to Hawaii we had nothing to compare it with, so we were okay with it! .. and the view made up for a lot!!!!!!

You know, I noticed that you had no ticker .... what happened? I thought you were all set for your big birthday bash in December?

Poly will likely always be my home, but besides the cost, have not wanted to stay there again since the last time. One of my favorite breakfasts in 2008 was Ohana's - never expected to enjoy it so much! My first Mimosa with breakfast and a direct Castle view made it pretty much perfect!

My first WL stay was in a Villa studio in 2010 and I was truly surprised at how much I liked it! It was late November, so the resort was decorated for the holidays - it was just so homey and pretty. We did spend one day in a regular Lodge room and did not like that as much - felt quite small (probably b/c the rooms are the same size as CBR - we stayed there a few times when it was brand new). For the price, the water launch and some great lake views, would definitely consider a WL stay - especially with a refurb scheduled. Nothing a freshly refurbished room, no matter the resort!

Yes, the big bash is no more...will send a pm.

 

[bluejasmine]

OMG those nachos and the pork sandwich look so good! My mouth is literally watering!!

That is one of the things I adore about the Poly is the views of the MK and GF! I love the tropical feel and the hawaiin music.. I love going into the GCH and hearing the waterfall..

Oh I miss it now!

Did you notice how low the shower head is tho? We laugh b/c DH is 5'9 but has to squat a little to rinse off his head! LOL

We really did enjoy or upgraded room to TPV in Hawaii building, I couldnt get over the view.. I think next tho instead of CL Ill do TPV and deluxe dining.. DH and I can just bring beer or wine or rum..lol

 

[Minnie&Nana]

That is one of the things I adore about the Poly is the views of the MK and GF! I love the tropical feel and the hawaiin music.. I love going into the GCH and hearing the waterfall..

Oh I miss it now!

We really did enjoy or upgraded room to TPV in Hawaii building, I couldn't get over the view.. I think next tho instead of CL Ill do TPV and deluxe dining.. DH and I can just bring beer or wine or rum..lol

Poly TPV and Dlxd sounds pretty darn good! Thought I might share what Tikiman, the Polynesian expert, told me. I was talking with him about Poly views (we usually book GV, but know the resort well enough to get a room with at least a partial Lagoon view)...anyway, I was saying we were considering a splurge for TPV and he said he would never book that category himself because Disney changed the view categories - most of the Tahiti 1st and 2nd floor views the Castle can be seen. I am sure you are familiar with his website: http://www.tikimanpages.com/tiki/

I did some, shall we say, personal research at the Poly and sure enough, he is right - who knows the Poly better than Steve?

Having said all that I would still be very tempted to book TPV and request 2nd floor Tuvalu - the EWP goes right in front of that bldg and stops - it's fabulous....but the rooms in Tahiti have double sinks and better showers since it is one of the newer bldgs and very close to TTC - and those rooms are 476 sq ft!

Ok, enough of my Poly ranting!!

 

[HowieHowie]

Karin.....those castle & fireworks photos are amazing..what a sight to see from your balcony. At least the day ended on a magical note since you had a stressful day.

 

[eandesmom]

WOW! What a wonderful surprise! I know it was only for a night and the check in experience was less than stellar but I don't know, that view, the castle, the fireworks and the really yummy looking pulled pork all seem rather magical to me!

We booked our car with "autoeurope" which has all the insurances included and covers three drivers and a full tank of gas and it would have pretty much cost the same if we had changed cars or kept it. (a 1 day rental and a 3 day one) We would have had to pay owner's locker for a second visit, had we returned it - so it was easy to just put everything in the trunk.
What we did not figure in was the 75$ parking fee at Port Canaveral. We just figured it would be more convenient to keep the car.

For our summer trip we will definitely return the ca and rent a new one for the second part. Makes no sense to have it sitting there in the parking lot for 9 days!

I was far more excited staying at BLT than the Poly. And we will definitely return to BLT next February! The Tower and the view were awesome!

That makes complete sense, I didn't really think about the complications of booking it from another country. The parking fee is a bit steep although there are some hotels nearby that if you stay one night apparently you can leave your car for free.

I'm not sure how I feel about BLT. I'm sure I'll end up staying there someday. I love the location but the points are awfully high and with the studios really not big enough for more than 2 I don't see it in my near future. You never know though!

 

[annmarieda]

what an awesome view!!!

 

[dvc4life]

Lovin the update Karin!

Sorry I haven't posted sooner but I am dealing with back problems and not feeling the best. Your posts sure do cheer me up though! Thanks.

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

Great update Karin!! What torture to be there at the gate and have to wait another 30 minutes! Unfortunately I know these issues all too well.

Yeah for your pixie dust on the view

I hope you all slept well after a long day of traveling!

Heather

 

[jenseib]

Tom just doesn't look right next to that car!
I am not a big fan of Poly yet either. Of course I never stayed, but I just didn't think it looked so fabulous...but I'm not saying I would never stay there.

Your dinner looks great. I should've tried the pulled pork sandwich. I had the grilled cheese, and it was OK. I like the processed cheese kind. This had a couple of cheeses and they were real.....

 

[dizneeat]

Poly will likely always be my home, but besides the cost, have not wanted to stay there again since the last time. One of my favorite breakfasts in 2008 was Ohana's - never expected to enjoy it so much! My first Mimosa with breakfast and a direct Castle view made it pretty much perfect!

My first WL stay was in a Villa studio in 2010 and I was truly surprised at how much I liked it! It was late November, so the resort was decorated for the holidays - it was just so homey and pretty. We did spend one day in a regular Lodge room and did not like that as much - felt quite small (probably b/c the rooms are the same size as CBR - we stayed there a few times when it was brand new). For the price, the water launch and some great lake views, would definitely consider a WL stay - especially with a refurb scheduled. Nothing a freshly refurbished room, no matter the resort!

Yes, the big bash is no more...will send a pm.

WL is amazing isn't it? I would love to return one day, especially now that we could try the villas, BUT, with us not relying on Disney Transport it would still mean that we would have to drive to the MK and there are other resorts where we won't have to do that ..... HINT, you drive right through them on your way to the MK!

I sent you an email in reply to your PM!

OMG those nachos and the pork sandwich look so good! My mouth is literally watering!!

That is one of the things I adore about the Poly is the views of the MK and GF! I love the tropical feel and the hawaiin music.. I love going into the GCH and hearing the waterfall..

Oh I miss it now!

Did you notice how low the shower head is tho? We laugh b/c DH is 5'9 but has to squat a little to rinse off his head! LOL

We really did enjoy or upgraded room to TPV in Hawaii building, I couldnt get over the view.. I think next tho instead of CL Ill do TPV and deluxe dining.. DH and I can just bring beer or wine or rum..lol

They were SO good! Especially after such a long travel day - and there were enough leftovers to feed us for breakfast!

I completely forgot about the shower head, but you are right! Tom mentioned it too!

Wow! TPV ANDd deluxe dining! Way to go ......

Karin.....those castle & fireworks photos are amazing..what a sight to see from your balcony. At least the day ended on a magical note since you had a stressful day.

It was such a wonderful start to our vacation, Elaine!
And it stayed on that "high" note, sometimes even got better!

WOW! What a wonderful surprise! I know it was only for a night and the check in experience was less than stellar but I don't know, that view, the castle, the fireworks and the really yummy looking pulled pork all seem rather magical to me!

Even for only one night we really enjoyed the experience! The fireworks from our balcony were the icing on our "vacation" cake.
We don't have anything like pulled pork here in Austria, so this is always a yummy treat. And the Nachos were really yummy!

That makes complete sense, I didn't really think about the complications of booking it from another country. The parking fee is a bit steep although there are some hotels nearby that if you stay one night apparently you can leave your car for free.

I'm not sure how I feel about BLT. I'm sure I'll end up staying there someday. I love the location but the points are awfully high and with the studios really not big enough for more than 2 I don't see it in my near future. You never know though!

We were really shocked at the parking fee! A few years back it was $15 per night I think and I thought that was steep!

I do agree with you on the studios at BLT being small. It was okay for the two of us, especially since we only stayed for 2 nights .... and it 45 points for the LV studio for the 2 nights, while we use 131 points for a 1br for 6 nights at OKW!
I was just in love with the location and the view from there. You cannot beat that!

 

[dizneeat]

what an awesome view!!!

It was the perfect way to start our vacation!

Lovin the update Karin!

Sorry I haven't posted sooner but I am dealing with back problems and not feeling the best. Your posts sure do cheer me up though! Thanks.

Thanks for stopping by! I really hope that you get well again, soon! And I am glad that my posts cheer you up a bit!

Great update Karin!! What torture to be there at the gate and have to wait another 30 minutes! Unfortunately I know these issues all too well.

Yeah for your pixie dust on the view

I hope you all slept well after a long day of traveling!

Heather

Ahhh .... sitting at the gate and not being able to leave the plane is a pain!!!!

We did sleep well, but not too long ... the time change caught up with us!

Tom just doesn't look right next to that car!
I am not a big fan of Poly yet either. Of course I never stayed, but I just didn't think it looked so fabulous...but I'm not saying I would never stay there.

Your dinner looks great. I should've tried the pulled pork sandwich. I had the grilled cheese, and it was OK. I like the processed cheese kind. This had a couple of cheeses and they were real.....

Hm, I guess we will have to book a different car for the summer then!
You know Jen, when we started visiting Florida, I thought the Poly was THE hotel to stay at. Then over time we developed a "taste" for other resorts and once we had stayed at OKW for the first time, we were sold!!!!!!!!!! And you have seen for yourself, why that is the case!
But to be able to stay at the Poly for at least one night was a really fun experience. Thanks for the upgrade, Disney!

You really should try the pulled pork sandwich! It is so yummy ... whenever we eat at the Poly (Captain Cooks) that is what one of us has and then we share!
Real cheese in a sandwich?

 

[Minnie&Nana]

WL is amazing isn't it? I would love to return one day, especially now that we could try the villas, BUT, with us not relying on Disney Transport it would still mean that we would have to drive to the MK and there are other resorts where we won't have to do that ..... HINT, you drive right through them on your way to the MK!

I sent you an email in reply to your PM!

Yes, VWL was much better than I ever expected! If staying at VWL would you still drive to the MK? The water launch is just fabulous...and since you two like boats so much it could be a perfect match!

Hmm.... we've almost always relied on Disney transportation....cannot think of which resorts you drive through to get to the MK... the parking lot, yes? Now I am stumped!! All I can think of is which resorts we go through on the monorail!

Got your email. Will write soon.

 

[dizneeat]

Yes, VWL was much better than I ever expected! If staying at VWL would you still drive to the MK? The water launch is just fabulous...and since you two like boats so much it could be a perfect match!

Hmm.... we've almost always relied on Disney transportation....cannot think of which resorts you drive through to get to the MK... the parking lot, yes? Now I am stumped!! All I can think of is which resorts we go through on the monorail!

Got your email. Will write soon.

Even staying at WL we would still drive to MK. Been there, done that. Reason is, that if you leave when "everybody" leaves, lines are long, and I just don't want to wait in that long line, so we would most likely drive.
This February we went to Fort Wilderness from the Contemporary. When we arrived at the pier a boat left. We sat down and waited for 25 minutes for another boat. Given, we were in no hurry ... I was giddy by the time it arrived! I can't see myself (or Tom) stand in line for how ever long it might take and then be squeezed onto the boat.
And you are right I was thinking of two of the Monorail resorts - actually the two that offer walking to the MK!

Update coming up!

 

[dizneeat]

Day 2, February 19


"You are BACK!!!!" - Part 1

Even though we had had a long day the day before, our inner clocks caught up with us and we were wide awake by 5am. By 6am we were both up, as we still had to open our purple box and throw some of its contents into an extra bag we had brought. So after we had both taken showers, Tom fixed

some tea and coffee, which had been provided in the room, while I dug through the contents of the box.
We found a lot of surprises which we had packed during the summer and then completely forgotten about. Once I had repacked we sat out on the balcony,

sipping our hot drinks and snacking on the leftovers of the Nachos we had had the day before. I checked a few times, if they had brought us a bill, but they hadn’t, but then I found a bill sent to my inbox.
Nice try, Disney, saving paper and just sending out emails. Around 8.30 we started to take things back to car.
We thought about calling bell services for a second, but then decided to do it ourselves as there wasn’t really much to transport.
Once our larger suitcases and carry-ons were stowed in the car

we went back to the room, took a few photos of the room location,

checked everywhere if we hadn’t forgotten anything, put out the Mousekeeping envelope and finally closed the door behind us.

We put the purple box onto the back seat and quickly walked over to the front desk to ask if our bill was set and since it was we were off to Downtown Disney.
We don’t usually travel like Disney wants you to, but we take a back road past Fort Wilderness and Old Key West to go to Downtown Disney. We were amazed to see a deer standing close to the road, not moving and we had to look hard to see that it was a real one.
Then right before we got to Fort Wilderness we saw some animals at the side of the road. When we got closer we saw that it was a huge “family” of turkeys on an “outing”. We drove by very slowly, so not to scare them and I was far too slow to take out my camera to take a photo of them. So Tom offered to turn around, so I could take said photo.

When we approached them from the other direction they had started to cross the road and traffic had stopped in both directions to let them through. Since we were now going in the wrong direction Tom decided to drive towards Fort Wilderness, just to see the turkeys taking a break on the grass between the main road and the road leading into the Fort.

So we stopped again and watched them having a good time. It was then about time to head over to Downtown Disney, so we stopped at the Fort Wilderness guardhouse and the guard himself was as surprised as we were when he saw the turkeys.
Soon we were back on track and driving over to Downtown Disney for breakfast at Wolfgang Puck’s Express. We found a parking spot right behind the “Once Upon a Toy” store and strolled over to Wolfgang Puck’s Express.

To be continued ..........

 

[annmarieda]

So very sad that check out had to happen, but I know you are on your way some where special.

The animals along the road in December were interesting too. LOTS of deer. We did not see any turkeys though. I know it is kinda odd of me... but they are just a bit beautiful.